Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A processor-implemented method for tracking and limiting an electronic offer, the method programmed in a non-transitory processor-readable medium and to execute on one or more processors of a hardware server configured to execute the method, comprising: distributing, by the hardware server over a first communication channel of a first network, the electronic offer linked to a recipient identifier, the electronic offer distributed to a recipient associated with the recipient identifier; receiving, at the hardware server, a request for a next recipient identifier, indicating that a next recipient is in possession of the electronic offer using a second communication channel of a second network; linking, by the hardware server, the next recipient identifier to the electronic offer; enforcing, by the hardware server, restrictions on redemption of the electronic offer by the next recipient, the enforcing performed on the hardware server by an offer control manager that enforces the restrictions based on a maximum number of times different recipients can redistribute the electronic offer and on the second communication channel being used by the next recipient for limiting usage of the electronic offer; and tracking, by the hardware server, usage of the electronic offer over the first and second communication channels for maintaining a distribution pattern for the electronic offer over at least the first and second networks by a plurality of recipients each associated with a recipient identifier.
A server tracks and limits the spread of an electronic offer across networks. When the offer is distributed (e.g., on a first network) to an initial recipient, it's linked to a unique identifier for that recipient. If that recipient forwards the offer (e.g., over a second network), the server receives a request including a new identifier for the next recipient. The server then links this new identifier to the offer and can enforce restrictions on how the next recipient uses it. Restrictions are based on how many times the offer has been redistributed and which communication channel is being used. The server tracks the offer's usage and builds a distribution pattern across different networks and recipients.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, iterating, at the hardware server, the processing for the receiving and the linking each time a different recipient handles the electronic offer.
Building on the tracking and limiting of an electronic offer, the server repeats the process of receiving a request for a next recipient identifier and linking it to the offer each time the offer is passed on to a new recipient. This allows continuous tracking and control of the offer's distribution as it propagates through various recipients and networks. The electronic offer is distributed over a first communication channel of a first network linked to a recipient identifier. A request for a next recipient identifier is received over a second communication channel of a second network. Restrictions are enforced on redemption, and usage is tracked.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising, generating, at the hardware server, a report for the electronic offer showing at least: the recipient, the next recipient, and each different recipient that receives the electronic offer, the report generated upon request from a redemption service that redeems the electronic offer.
Further extending the electronic offer tracking, the server generates a report when the offer is redeemed. This report, triggered by a redemption service, shows the initial recipient, the next recipient, and every other recipient who received the offer. This provides a complete audit trail of the offer's journey. The electronic offer is distributed over a first communication channel of a first network linked to a recipient identifier. A request for a next recipient identifier is received over a second communication channel of a second network. Restrictions are enforced on redemption, and usage is tracked. The server iterates the processing for receiving and linking each time a different recipient handles the offer.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising, integrating, at the hardware server, metrics with the report for: devices used, networks used, performance characteristics of the devices and/or networks, and/or any determined identities for the recipient, the next recipient, and each different recipient.
In addition to the basic report detailing recipients of the electronic offer, the server integrates metrics such as the types of devices used to access the offer, the networks used to propagate it, performance characteristics of those devices or networks, and any identified information about the recipients. All this data is included in the redemption report to provide deeper insights into how the offer is being used and shared. The electronic offer is distributed over a first communication channel of a first network linked to a recipient identifier. A request for a next recipient identifier is received over a second communication channel of a second network. Restrictions are enforced on redemption, and usage is tracked. The server iterates the processing for receiving and linking each time a different recipient handles the offer, and generates a report for each recipient upon request from a redemption service.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprising, producing, at the hardware server, the report as a graph showing a network path of the electronic offer from when first distributed to the recipient until the electronic offer is redeemed, via the redemption service.
The server generates a visual representation of the electronic offer's distribution. The redemption report is presented as a graph illustrating the offer's network path, starting from its initial distribution to the first recipient and continuing until it is finally redeemed. This graph visually depicts the chain of recipients and the routes the offer took through the network. The electronic offer is distributed over a first communication channel of a first network linked to a recipient identifier. A request for a next recipient identifier is received over a second communication channel of a second network. Restrictions are enforced on redemption, and usage is tracked. The server iterates the processing for receiving and linking each time a different recipient handles the offer, and generates a report for each recipient upon request from a redemption service.
6. The method of claim 3 further comprising, maintaining, at the hardware server, ratings and attributes for the recipient, the next recipient, and each different recipient, the ratings and attributes aggregated for other electronic offers handled by the recipient, the next recipient, and each different recipient.
The server maintains ratings and attributes for each recipient involved in the electronic offer's distribution chain. This includes the initial recipient, subsequent recipients, and so on. These ratings and attributes are based on their interaction with this and potentially other electronic offers. This creates a profile of each recipient's behavior and trustworthiness. The electronic offer is distributed over a first communication channel of a first network linked to a recipient identifier. A request for a next recipient identifier is received over a second communication channel of a second network. Restrictions are enforced on redemption, and usage is tracked. The server iterates the processing for receiving and linking each time a different recipient handles the offer, and generates a report for each recipient upon request from a redemption service.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising, producing, at the hardware server, reputation reports for the recipient, the next recipient, and each different recipient based on the ratings and the attributes.
Using the maintained ratings and attributes of the electronic offer recipients, the server generates reputation reports for each individual (initial recipient, next recipient, etc.). These reputation reports summarize their past behavior and trustworthiness, providing a basis for assessing their suitability for future offers. The electronic offer is distributed over a first communication channel of a first network linked to a recipient identifier. A request for a next recipient identifier is received over a second communication channel of a second network. Restrictions are enforced on redemption, and usage is tracked. The server iterates the processing for receiving and linking each time a different recipient handles the offer, and generates a report for each recipient upon request from a redemption service. The server maintains ratings and attributes for the recipient, the next recipient, and each different recipient.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising, suggesting, by the hardware server, the recipient as a candidate to an enterprise system for receiving a subsequent electronic offer based on a particular reputation report for the recipient.
Based on a recipient's reputation report, the server can suggest that recipient as a candidate to an enterprise system for receiving future electronic offers. This allows targeted distribution of offers based on the recipient's established reputation and behavior. The electronic offer is distributed over a first communication channel of a first network linked to a recipient identifier. A request for a next recipient identifier is received over a second communication channel of a second network. Restrictions are enforced on redemption, and usage is tracked. The server iterates the processing for receiving and linking each time a different recipient handles the offer, and generates a report for each recipient upon request from a redemption service. The server maintains ratings and attributes for the recipient, the next recipient, and each different recipient, and produces reputation reports for each based on these.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein distributing further includes maintaining a link between the electronic offer and the recipient identifier at the hardware server separate and independent of the electronic offer.
When distributing the electronic offer linked to a recipient identifier, the server stores the link between the offer and identifier separately from the offer itself. This means the identifier is not embedded directly within the offer but maintained as a separate record on the server. The server tracks and limits the spread of an electronic offer across networks. When the offer is distributed to an initial recipient, it's linked to a unique identifier for that recipient. If that recipient forwards the offer, the server receives a request including a new identifier for the next recipient. The server then links this new identifier to the offer and can enforce restrictions on how the next recipient uses it. The server tracks the offer's usage and builds a distribution pattern across different networks and recipients.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein distributing further includes maintaining the link between the electronic offer and the recipient identifier as metadata carried with the electronic offer, the metadata having the recipient identifier.
When distributing the electronic offer linked to a recipient identifier, the server maintains the link between the offer and the recipient's identifier by embedding it as metadata directly within the electronic offer itself. The recipient identifier is carried along with the offer as it is distributed. The server tracks and limits the spread of an electronic offer across networks. When the offer is distributed to an initial recipient, it's linked to a unique identifier for that recipient. If that recipient forwards the offer, the server receives a request including a new identifier for the next recipient. The server then links this new identifier to the offer and can enforce restrictions on how the next recipient uses it. The server tracks the offer's usage and builds a distribution pattern across different networks and recipients.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving further includes acquiring the request from an offer viewing application activated each time the electronic offer is opened on a client device.
When the server receives a request for a next recipient identifier, this request originates from an offer viewing application that is activated each time the electronic offer is opened on a client device. Every time someone opens the offer, the application sends a request to the server. The server tracks and limits the spread of an electronic offer across networks. When the offer is distributed to an initial recipient, it's linked to a unique identifier for that recipient. If that recipient forwards the offer, the server receives a request including a new identifier for the next recipient. The server then links this new identifier to the offer and can enforce restrictions on how the next recipient uses it. The server tracks the offer's usage and builds a distribution pattern across different networks and recipients.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving further includes recording metrics from the offer viewing application for the client device and a network connection used by the client device, the metrics linked to the electronic offer.
Along with receiving the request from the offer viewing application, the server also records metrics related to the client device and the network connection used by the device when the offer is opened. These metrics are linked back to the specific electronic offer, providing valuable insights into how the offer is being accessed. The server tracks and limits the spread of an electronic offer across networks. When the offer is distributed to an initial recipient, it's linked to a unique identifier for that recipient. If that recipient forwards the offer, the server receives a request including a new identifier for the next recipient. The server then links this new identifier to the offer and can enforce restrictions on how the next recipient uses it. The server tracks the offer's usage and builds a distribution pattern across different networks and recipients. The request is acquired from an offer viewing application activated each time the electronic offer is opened on a client device.
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October 10, 2017
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